Blog: parasites

Mighty Mite by Dr. David J. Kerr, DVM

There are many different types of mites that cause problems with dogs and cats. These microscopic, eight-legged, skin dwellers cause conditions like Mange, Scabies, Walking Dandruff, Red Mange among others. All these critters live in or on the skin, cause itching and all are contagious to dogs and cats and...

Fleas by Dr. Dana Cini

A creepy crawly nightmare for pet owners! Don’t despair if your pet has fleas, there are safe and effective treatment options available from your veterinarian, but first you should understand the lifecycle and behaviour of this tiny insect. The flea species that is found on dogs and cats is Ctenocephalides...

Lyme Disease by Kaitlyn Sammut, VA

Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete-type bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. Dogs are infected with Lyme disease when ticks bite and take a blood meal. The disease then circulates throughout the body and tends to localize in the joints. Clinical signs of Lyme disease include generalized pain, anorexia, fever and...

Mange Mites: FAQs by Bonnie Kemp, VA, CSR

What is Mange? Mange is a skin disease caused by parasitic mites. There are two common types of mange which differ greatly by their cause, presentation, and sometimes treatment. The first and most common is called demodectic mange, caused by the Demodex mite, and is found in puppies, seniors, and...